Working Environment Act

  1. Chapter 1. Introductory provisions

  2. Chapter 2. Duties of employer and employees

  3. Chapter 2 A. Whistleblowing

  4. Chapter 3. Working environment measures

  5. Chapter 4. Requirements regarding the working environment

  6. Chapter 5. Obligation to record and notify, requirements to manufacturers, etc.

  7. Chapter 6. Safety representatives

  8. Chapter 7. Working environment committees

  9. Chapter 8. Information and consultation

  10. Chapter 9. Control measures in the undertaking

  11. Chapter 10. Working hours

  12. Chapter 11. Employment of children and young persons

  13. Chapter 12. Entitlement to leave of absence

  14. Chapter 13. Protection against discrimination

  15. Chapter 14. Appointment, etc.

  16. Chapter 14 A. Agreements restricting competition in employment relationships

  17. Chapter 15. Termination of employment relationships

  18. Chapter 16. Rights of employees in the event of a transfer of ownership of undertakings

  19. Chapter 17. Disputes concerning working conditions

    (1) An employee who wishes to claim that a dismissal with notice or summary dismissal is unlawful, that it is a breach of the provisions of this Act concerning preferential rights or that an unlawful temporary appointment, hiring or suspension has been made may demand negotiations with the employer. The same shall apply if the employee wishes to claim compensation on grounds of circumstances as referred to in the first sentence.
    (2) An employee who wishes to demand negotiations must notify the employer of this in writing within two weeks. The time limit for demanding negotiations shall run from:
    1. a.
      the date of a dismissal with notice or summary dismissal,
    2. b.
      the date the employer rejected a claim from an employee concerning the preferential right to a new post,
    3. c.
      the date an employee terminated employment in the case of a dispute as to the lawfulness of a hiring or temporary appointment, or
    4. d.
      the date on which a suspension is revoked.

    In a dispute as to the lawfulness of a hiring, temporary appointment or suspension, there is no time limit for demanding negotiations.

    (3) The employer shall ensure that a meeting for negotiations is held as early as possible and, at the latest, within two weeks of receiving the request.
    (4) If an employee institutes legal proceedings or notifies the employer that legal proceedings will be instituted when no negotiations have been conducted, the employer may demand negotiations with the employee. A demand for negotiations shall be submitted in writing as soon as possible and not later than two weeks after the employer is notified that legal proceedings have been or will be instituted. The employer shall ensure that a meeting for negotiations is held in accordance with the provision laid down in the preceding paragraph. If legal proceedings are instituted, the employer shall notify the court in writing that negotiations will be conducted. An employee is obliged to attend the negotiations.
    (5) Employees and employers shall be entitled to engage the assistance of an adviser during the negotiations. The negotiations must be completed not later than two weeks after the date of the first negotiation meeting unless the parties agree to continue the negotiations. Minutes shall be kept of the negotiations, which shall be signed by the parties and their advisers.
    (6) In a dispute concerning hiring, demands for negotiations shall be made to the hirer. The provisions of this section concerning the employer shall apply correspondingly to the hirer.
    7) In disputes relating to preferential rights pursuant to section 14-2, first paragraph, second sentence, demands for negotiations shall be directed towards the company that has the post the employee considers to be entitled to preferential treatment for. The provisions laid down regarding the employer in this section shall apply correspondingly for such companies.

    (1) For the main hearing and for hearing in the Court of Appeal the court shall sit with two lay judges.
    (2) Lay judges shall be appointed on the recommendation of the parties from the panel of lay judges appointed pursuant to section 17-6. In cases before the Court of Appeal, the lay judges are taken from the panels appointed within the district of the court.
    (3) Each party proposes one-half of the number of lay judges included in an individual case. If the proposals from the parties are not available within the time limit stipulated by the judge, the judge may appoint lay judges pursuant to section 94 of the Courts of Justice Act. The same applies if several plaintiffs or defendants fail to agree on a joint proposal.
    (4) Nevertheless, the court may sit without lay judges if the parties and the court are agreed that lay judges are unnecessary.
  20. Chapter 18. Regulatory supervision of the Act

  21. Chapter 19. Penal provisions

  22. Chapter 20. Final Provisions